Summer Updates

Happy Summer Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying the great summer weather.  Despite the strange times we live in, there are so many things to enjoy when we can be outside in beautiful Saskatoon. 

Sidewalks

City Council has approved $11 million dollars in new funding for more and better sidewalks for neighbourhoods across the city, and added some multi-use pathways.  This includes adding sidewalks where none exist – including around elementary schools and near seniors’ residences. It also includes more accessibility ramps.  All of this is fantastic news for our historic neighbourhoods, and is designed to support the economic recovery effort. The funding comes from the province’s Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) designed for capital projects.

Major Projects in Ward 6 

In 2020, City Council invested more than $61 million to rehabilitate and preserve road, water and sewer infrastructure to improve the safety and lifespan of the assets we rely on every day, and improve quality of life. This includes a number of major projects in our ward.

The Clarence Avenue Water Main Replacement Project is moving to the next phase. 

Phase 2 includes Clarence Avenue from 12th Street East to Aird Street is anticipated to take approximately 5 weeks, and phase 3 will complete the roadway to College Drive.  Note, there have been a few modifications to the project and phase 4, including sections of Temperance Street, Munroe Avenue and Wiggins Avenue have been postponed until the 2021 construction season. This phase requires temporary, above ground water lines that may freeze overnight if put into place late in the construction season. A notice detailing this change in scope will also be delivered to area residents in the coming days. Read the full news release here:

READ MORE

Other key construction projects include:

• The replacement of aging water mains on 8th Street. Work is on schedule and will wrap up in early fall. The project also includes sidewalk rehabilitation and road resurfacing. Other water main replacement projects are currently underway on Cumberland Avenue and Clarence Avenue.
• The second and final phase of the Sid Buckwold Bridge Rehabilitation project has reached the mid-way point and remains on track for completion in October. Once complete, it will have a wider walkway with taller barriers, improved drainage, and the bridge deck and ramps will be completely resurfaced.
• Road resurfacing on sections of College Drive and Taylor Street is complete. Crews are currently resurfacing on Circle Drive from the College Drive overpass to 14th Street. This work is being done at night to minimize impacts to motorists.

Bike Bylaw

Saskatoon’s Bicycle Bylaw has been updated to bring cycling rules and regulations in line with national best practices. The changes follow input from various community organizations and Business Improvement Districts.

Revisions made to the Bicycle Bylaw include:

• Children under the age of 14 are allowed to ride bikes on the sidewalk; People riding bikes on shared pathways must ride at a moderate rate of speed and proceed with reasonable consideration for all pedestrians and other path users.

The following revision has also been made to the Traffic Bylaw:

• Drivers must pass people riding bikes on the road with a minimum one-metre buffer on streets

Downtown Traffic Review

A Neighbourhood Traffic Review is about to get underway in the Central Business District and we want to hear from the residents who live there. There will be a live on-line meeting and also opportunities to email your concerns and suggestions. 

 The online meeting will take place Wednesday August 12th at 7pm

Masks

There is increasing evidence that COVID-19 is airborne and that masks help to avoid the spread of the virus.  Based on this, I choose to wear a mask in indoor public places to decrease the risk to everyone around me.  The provincial emergency order also recommends using masks in indoor public places. 

Patios and more

Council has approved more ways for businesses to set up parking patios. To support the recovery effort, Council approved more structured patios and added asphalt parking patios without any fees for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Patio structures can also stay in place, providing opportunities for winter animation. I hope this will mean more opportunities for all of us to enjoy our favourite local business. 

Also, the City is now working on a public Wi-Fi project in the downtown and a new approach is being taken to solve the problem of noise from vehicles on city streets. I hope this will enhance the quality of life in many areas of our ward.

Have a safe and healthy summer!

Warm Regards,

Cynthia